A new and very interesting approach to the analysis of responses and response times is proposed by Goldhammer (this issue). In his approach, differences in the speed-ability compromise within respondents are considered to confound the differences in ability between respondents. These confounding effects of speed on the inferences about ability can…

Goldhammer (this issue) proposes an interesting approach to dealing with the speededness of item responses. Rather than modeling speed as a latent variable that varies from person to person, he proposes to use experimental conditions that are expected to fix the speed, thereby eliminating individual differences on this dimension in order to make…

The excellent paper by Goldhammer (this issue) deals with a most relevant and very pervasive problem of ability assessment: the evaluation of performance by considering speed and accuracy of performance. Goldhammer proposes item-level time limits as a possible remedy for individual differences in the speed-accuracy trade-off (SATO) to keep time…

This commentary traces discussions of psychological differences and deficits from the mid-1950s to the current day, positioning the disciplinary discussions in the social-historical context in which they took place. The challenges of assessing diagnoses of deficit and the potential harms that result when misdiagnosis is implemented as social…

Classical test theory, item response theory, and generalizability theory all treat the abilities to be measured as continuous variables, and the items of a test as independent probes of underlying continua. These models are well-suited to measuring the broad, diffuse traits of traditional differential psychology, but not for measuring the outcomes…

This article examines the potential contribution of latent trait models to the study of intelligence. Nontechnical introductions to both unidimensional and multidimensional latent trait models are given. Multidimensional latent trait models can be used to test alternative multiple component theories of test item processing. (Author/CTM)

The law of diminishing returns suggested by C. Spearman (1904) presents a paradoxical conclusion that groups with the largest amount of "g" (general factor of intelligence) should have the greatest intertest correlation among intelligence tests, but, in fact, they have the least. Implications for intelligence theory are discussed. (SLD)

D. K. Detterman and M. H. Daniel's recognition (1989) that intertest correlations for intelligence quotient (IQ) might not be uniform across the range of ability (and age) was anticipated by C. E. Spearman (1904). Detterman and Daniel appear to have rediscovered Spearman's suggested law of diminishing returns. (SLD)

"The Second Century of Ability Testing: Some Predictions and Speculations" did not include predictions about the ability construct or the role of fundamental measurement principles. All commentators raised issues about the nature of the ability construct. The diverse viewpoints represented in these comments highlight well the complexity…

Frequently cited sex differences in general psychology texts are noted, with such "differences" specified even when scientific evidence did not exist. Research on brain lateralization and sex difference is reviewed. (MP)

This article originally appeared in March, 1940 as "Why No Great Women Composers?" The author, a psychologist, finds no sex differences in music achievement traceable to ability or opportunity, but feels that a woman's fundamental urge is to be loved, while a man's is to achieve in a career. (SJL)

Described is the Pillsbury Foundation School, designed to discover how creative music activity was provoked and generated in children, ages three to six, and how natural musicality could be developed in these young children. The author warns against repressing the deeply rooted natural musicality that young children inherit. (KC)

Responds to previous article by Lowman on the Inter-Domain Model of career assessment and counseling. Asserts that Lowman's proposal may be detrimental to current practice. Examines interrelationships between interests and personality; between interests and ability; and among interests, ability, and personality. Concludes that counselors are…

The most serious blocks to creative thinking are viewed as psychological in nature. These obstacles are the hardest to recognize and overcoming them requires changing basic personality traits that have been years in the making. Tips on how individuals can gather self-knowledge and express individuality and creativity are given. (MP)

Attempts to provide a plausible theory of music's evolutionary development. Speculates that music may have provided survival benefits by helping establish mother/infant bonds, by aiding in the acquisition of knowledge, by providing a unique way of knowing, and by playing important roles in social organization. (LS)